Easter outfits!

Today Chris and I took the boys to our favorite park to take pictures in their precious matching Easter outfits! Yes, I am that mom, who dresses her boys alike for special occassions, and I love it! This may be the last occassion for awhile that they will have identical outfits because Ayden is outgrowing the toddler sizes (this outfit is a 5T from Old Navy and thankfully it fit!) and usually the big boy sizes don't have matching outfits with the baby/toddlers. Anyway, even with our best efforts, we never could get those "picture-perfect" smiles from them at the same time...but, as my friend Melissa put it, this is how they really are and how the look and behave at this stage of their lives, and that's what I will really want to look back and remember anyway! So here they are, in all their imperfect but precious poses! (I just picked my favorites out of over 60 that I took) ;)

Our sweet baby boy!

This one make me laugh...what is that expression on Ayden's face?!

Our so-stinking-cute big boy!

He is smiling/laughing at daddy's silly jokes :)

The boys and their baskets

The following 3 pictures just might be my faves...the expressions

say it all!!

Ayden is actually fake laughing loudly in this pic...which is what lead

to Ethan's tears in the pic above! Big brother scared him!

Another one that makes me laugh! Ethan has this look on his face like,

"Ayden, what are you doing now?" lol

Jumping fun!

This morning we went to Jump Zone for a couple of hours to let Ayden play. I don't know why we don't go more often, it's super fun!!! I have been looking everywhere for a regular physical activity for him to be involved in, like soccer, karate, t-ball, etc, and just about everything requires that you be 4. After watching him run and jump and play hard for 2 straight hours today for the bargain rate of only $6, I think once or twice weekly trips to Jump Zone might be just what we're looking for until we reach that MAGIC age of 4!! It's great exercise, safe (it's all padded!) and he made several new friends, as did I! Here are a few pics from our day...although it was hard to catch him being still long enough for a pic!

Barreling down the dump truck slide

Climbing into the Batman bouncy

Ethan was content to sit and watch (for now anyway!) Ethan jumping at home! :)

Fun morning out!

Now that the weather is getting nice, Friday is going to become our library and park day! Bentonville has a really nice library and just a couple blocks down is the park and the downtown square. I really, really love our cute little town, it is very family/kid oriented! I am getting a lot more comfortable with getting out of the house with 2 kids...I remember when just being at home with both of them was overwhelming, lol! It helps that Ayden is old enough to follow directions well and that Ethan is just a very chilled out little dude :) As long as we plan outings between feedings and naps, he is great! Here are pics from our first spring morning out!

My little guys outside the library!

Ayden with his stack of new books...he was entirely too engrossed in the Scooby Doo book to smile for momma!

Ethan just hanging out while brother "reads" Playing at the park!

Mommy and Ethan!

People say Ayden and I look alike all the time, but I very rarely have anyone say that Ethan looks like me, but lots of people think he favors my dad and brother. I think he looks very much like Ayden and his daddy. Any way you look at it, he is CUTE! :)

Brother play time!

Every night after baths and jammies, the boys love to have playtime together before bed! Here are several pics of them playing tonight!

LOVE these boys!!

Sweet kisses from big brother Silly grins!

Happy boy!

Couldn't you just eat him up in these jammies?!

Ayden and the pirate ship art project he was working on

I think Ayden is tickling him! :)

Our big boy

Our first baby is growing up right before our eyes! I can't believe he is gonna be 4 in just a few short months! He is such a smart, funny little boy and he brings immense joy to our lives! He is definetely on his way to being daddy's little linebacker- he is out of toddler clothes and wearing boys size 6/7 and size 12/13 shoes. Where did my 6lb 12oz baby go??? His MDO teachers are always commenting about what a giving, sharing, and loving heart he has and that (although he can have a temper at times!), he is so considerate of others. We are so proud of him and love watching him grow into such a special little boy!

Boy's best friend...

Ethan is 7 months old!

Eating your first baby cracker!

Showing off those teeth!

Big smile for mommy!

My handsome little guy!

Dear Ethan,

You are 7 months old today! As you can tell from these pictures, you are SUCH a happy baby! Here is what you are up to these days:

-You wear size 3 diapers, 9-12 month clothing, and size 4-5 shoes

-You are in a pretty set routine with your eating, sleeping, and playing, but do very well even if your routine gets off. I think it bothers mommy to get out of routine more than it does you!

-You don't scream in the car anymore! I don't know if this is just temporary, but I'll take it while I can! We put the other DVD screen in on your seat and it definetely helps! You either babble and play with a toy, or sleep. We even took a 3 hour road trip to Mena this month and you never so much as made a whimper.

-You love sleeping in your bed and take 2 naps a day there, as well as sleeping there at night. Your crib is still in mommy and daddy's room, as I suspect it will be for quite some time :) You go to bed between 7-8 pm and get up between 7-8 am for the day...but you are still waking up 1-2 times per night for feedings. So you basically sleep a total of 12 hours in 4 hour increments! Although last night you skipped your second feeding and mommy and you both got 8 hours! :)

-You are eating solids 3 times a day! You eat oatmeal and apples, pears, peaches, or prunes for breakfast, a vegetable such as sweet potatoes or butternut squash for lunch, and a puree of chicken, peas, and sweet potatoes for supper. Mommy is still making all of your baby food and you seem to just love it!

-Just this week you have completely weaned from nursing. I have mixed emotions about it but overall am happy we got over 6 months of breastmilk in you and most importantly you are a very healthy, happy, thriving baby! I am so thankful for that!!

-You roll all over the place and we can't leave you alone on your blanket or you will be across the room in seconds! You are starting to push up on your hands and knees and I know you will be crawling before we know it!

-You are just starting to sit up on your own! You are still working on balancing yourself but can sit unassisted for a short while, especially if you have a toy in front of you to hold onto!

-You are a reacher and a grabber! You have snagged mommy's hoop earrings more than once and you love to pull hair. You also are completely obsessed with every bite of food we eat and act like you would just devour it too if we let you!

-You put everything in your mouth and I have just started giving you baby crackers to chew and eat. You love them and make SUCH a mess eating them!

-You finally seem to enjoy your bath, at least a little. In the past you have just acted like you could take it or leave it! Now you enjoy seeing how big a splashing mess you can make :)

-You are either very quiet or very vocal, depending on your mood. You babble, squeal, razz, and laugh out loud.

-You love your binky! Yay!

- You absolutely love watching your big brother! You laugh while watching him and have a look on your face like you just can't wait to jump up and play with him!

-You also enjoy watching the dogs and Andy has been known to give you a kiss or two :) Gunner would kiss you too if we let his 100 pound self anywhere near you...but not just yet!

HAPPY SEVEN MONTHS SWEET BOY! WE LOVE YOU!!

Mother's Day Out Art Show

Tonight Ayden's MDO had an art show for all the parents showcasing special art projects all the classes have been working on all year. Ayden's class had 2 canvas paintings that they did as a group up for auction, and 2 individual projects per child- a silhouette portrait and a set of coasters with their own artwork on them. We were more than happy to purchase Ayden's adorable projects! I also put in a bid on one of the group projects and will find out tomorrow if I won :) Here are pics from the show!

Ayden with his silhouette!

The "Promiseland" class' projects!

Adorable group canvas paintings

Ayden and his teacher Ms. Martha, he loves her!

Look who's sitting up!

Just 2 days shy of his 7 month birthday, Ethan is learning to sit up! :)